2012 Beijing Auto Show - 2013 Fiat Viaggio revealed

The U.S Dodge Dart-based Italian sedan Viaggio has made its debut the 2012 Beijing Auto Show.

Image credit - Autoexpress.co.uk

Fiat has unveiled the all-new 2013 Fiat Viaggio sedan at the on-going 2012 Beijing Auto Show. Although, we had seen the first official images that were revealed just two days back, the Fiat Viaggio sedan seen in these fresh live images snapped in China looks all the more stunning and resembles unmistakably to the American 2013 Dodge Dart, which was first unveiled at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show.

The key factor that separates the Italian Viaggio from its newly launched sibling in the U.S is the bespoke front end sporting, headlamps, the chrome grille and the re-sculptured bumper. On the rear, the Viaggio has ditched the Dodge's full-width light bar and instead houses single LED units with chrome detailing in between.

Image credit - Autoexpress.co.uk

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The Volkswagen Jetta-sized Viaggio is the first full project that has been developed jointly between Fiat and Chryser and sits on the CUSW (Compact US Wide) platform, which was originally developed for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

The Italian sedan will be offered with a choice or two turbocharged petrol engines - the 1.4-litre T-Jet with either 118PS or 147PS of power. The engine will come mated to either a five-speed manual or a twin-clutch automatic transmission.

The Fiat Viaggio is the company's first car that is made in China with its local partner GAC and will go on sale in the Chinese market by July 2012.

Rumors are rife that a five-door hatchback version based on the Viaggio will be developed that will replace the Fiat Brava in the European market. It is also said that, maybe the Brava hatchback could also be introduced in the Indian market later on. But that seems highly unlikely, since the Brava hatchback dons tad big dimensions to be passed of as a hatchback in the Indian market.

On the other hand, there are speculations that the Fiat is also planning to introduce the Viaggio in the Indian market in the near future, replacing the Fiat Linea T-Jet. But if that is true, then it will take some time for the sedan to arrive in India, since the Viaggio currently has been built specifically for the Chinese market and hence, is available only in the left-hand drive mode.

Depending upon supply and demand numbers of the Viaggio sedan in China and relying on market research, Fiat may take it up to build a right-hand drive version of the model. In that case, even Fiat Australia is likely to take back home the Italian sedan.